Apparatus for handling and storing coiled material



Dec. 14, 1954- A. F. ANJESKEY 2,696,920

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND STORING COILED MATERIAL Filed March 16,.1949 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 h JNVENToR. Az A40/$5 E Amies/rey BYMWIw Dec. 14, 1954 A. F. ANJEsKEY 2,696,920

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND STORING COILED MATERIAL Filed March 16, 1949 10 Sheets-Sheet's BY M07,

vArray/Veys Dec. 14, 1954 A. F. ANJESKEY 2,696,920

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND STORING COILED MATERIAL Filed March 16, 1949 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

/LPHo/vss l? ,4MM-SMQ Dec. 14, 1954 A. F. ANJEsKEY APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND STORING COILED MATERIAL 1o sneets-sheet 5 Filed March 16, 1949 IN V EN TOR.

4free/vens Ama/ysa A/vfssA/Ey BY Dec. 14, 1954 A. F. ANJESKEY 2,696,920

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND sToRING como MATERIAL Dec. 14, 1954 A. F. ANJEsKEY 2,696,920

APPARATUS FoR HANDLING AND sToRING COILED MATERIAL Filed March 16, 1949 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENToR. AAP/fans: E /l/vfesxsy I ,wlw/@MLV Dec. 14, 1954 A. F. ANJEsKEY 2,696,920

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND sToRING coILED MATERIAL l1 Il 767 64 i I :i ll II vf? @if A INVENTOR. I H6. 75 4P//o/vss EAMES/sy www l Dec. 14, 1954 A. F. ANJEsKEY 2,696,920

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND s'roRING coILED MATERIAL Filed March 16, 1949 l0. Sheets-Sheet 9 747 jf 752,57 zj/'2 47.? 156; M24 w y 'I 774 I 74 'd' w55 125' van fr@ L V /40 ,gg

a y if? 743 l 14a" fl/22 f 757 ffl if 56. I 1 2 fie. 73

. INVENTOR. ALPHONSE A/vfes/Ey ,35 BY Z fr a l A. F. ANJESKEY 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 QR NN INVEN TOR.

i7 A rra Nsys Dec. 14, 1954 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND sroRING comun MATERIAL 3 porting means shown in Figs. l-4, the positions of the annular bodies being indicated by dot-dash lines;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detached view, partly in section and partly in side elevation, showing one unit of the modied form of supporting means illustrated in Fig. 5, the position of the annular bodies being indicated in dot-dash lines;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of the novel material handling apparatus shown in Fig. l illustrating the manner in which it is supported for overhead movement, the inverted or vertical position of the material handling member or hook being indicated in broken lines;

Fig. 8 is a front view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detached view of that portion of the material handling apparatus herein referred to as the hook, parts being broken away and others shown in section to more clearly illustrate the mechanism for expanding a portion of the hook and for operating the finger members provided thereon which prevent displacement of annular bodies carried on the hook, the movable portions of the hook being shown in dot-dash lines in two different positions, representing their respective positions for cooperation with annular bodies of different internal diameters;

Fig. l is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 9 with certain of the valves and pipes of the hydraulic system for operating the hook omitted;

Fig. ll is a fragmentary bottom view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 9 with the lower or movable plate or member and the pipes for the operating cylinders removed and with certain parts shown in section, the view illustrating the relationship of the parts of the actuating mechanism for effecting movement of said lower member or plate of the hook;

Fig. l2 is an end View of the mechanism shown in Figs. 9 and l0 as seen from the left-hand side of those figures;

Fig. i3 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 13--il3 of Fig. 9 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. i4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 14--14 of Fig. 9 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. l is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line it-15 of Fig. 9 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows so that the interconnected parts appear in substantially their opened-out or operated positions;

Fig. i6 is an enlarged end View of a portion of the lower rear portion of the hook, with parts broken away and others in section, to further show the connections for trie hydraulic system of the hook;

Fig. l'/ is a perspective, somewhat schematic view of the reeving of the cables for operating the hook, a portion of the hook being indicated in broken lines to show its relationship to the various sheaves;

Fig. 18 is a simplified schematic representation of the hydraulic system for operating the hook;

Fig. 19 is a simplified schematic wiring diagram of the control circuit for actuating the hydraulic system of the Fig. 2i) is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of material handling hook; and,

2l is a bottom view of the modiiied hook shown in Fig. 20, with the lower movable portion of the expanding leg or member removed and with parts broken away and others shown in section to more clearly illustrate the operating mechanism.

Referring first to Figs. l through 4 of the drawings, it wiil be seen that, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, annular bodies, such as coils C of wire, rod, or the like, are arranged in vertical piles within a. storage area or warehouse W, the axes of the coils in any one pile extending in substantial vertical alignment so that the central openings therethrough are substantially aligned. The coils in any given vertical pile are preferably all of the same characteristics, that is to say, they have the same chemical and physical characteristics and are substantially of the same size, the piles being arranged in a symmetrical pattern or patterns, as will be apparent from Fig. 2, so as to leave a minimum of waste space therebetween. Lateral displacement of the coils in any pile is prevented by vertically extending, elongated, rigid members 25, which are located in the inter-y stices between the respective piles and held from lateral movement, as is hereinafter more fully described.

Annular bodies, such as the coils C, are transported to and from storage in the vertical piles aforementioned by a material handling apparatus, generally designated 26, supported for movement above the piles of coils or the like and including a substantially U-shaped member or hook, generally designated 27, which is adapted to be raised, lowered, and tilted as well as being movable to different positions above the coils. This substantially U-snaped member or hook has one leg 28 thereof adapted to be inserted through the central openings of the coils handled and so constructed as to be laterally expansible, after insertion, to effect engagement with spaced portions of the said central openings of the coils C to thereby retain the coils thereon when the U-shaped member is tilted. In addition, this leg 23 or the hook or U-shaped member is preferably provided with retractable projections adapted to extend in front of the forwardmost coil upon the hook, or between convolutions of the forwardmost coil when the material is heli- -cally or spirally coiled, to prevent displacement of the coils from the hook. The details of construction providing the above-mentioned functions are hereinafter described in detail. It is sufficient for the present, however, to note that, with an apparatus having the characteristics mentioned, annular bodies such as coiled material are handled by the hook 27 by laterally contracting the leg 28 thereof, moving the hook to insert this leg within the central opening or openings of the bodies to be handled and then expanding the leg 28 and extending the projections thereon to rmly retain coils thus positioned upon the hook. The hook with the coils thereon is then moved to the point where the coils are 'to be deposited whereupon the leg 28 and the projections are contracted so that the hook may be freely withdrawn from the bodies.

As an illustration, let it be assumed that the apparatus is employed to effect storage and handling of coils C of wire in accordance with the method of this invention. Let it further be assumed that the coils C of wire are lying with their axes substantially horizontal and that it is desired to place them in storage with their axes extending substantially vertical. lhe material handling means 26, including the hook 27, is moved to a point adjacent the coils, which may be in a railroad car or the like, and the hook 27 is then lowered until the expansible leg 28 is substantially aligned with the central openings in the coils, if necessary the hook being tilted up or down to effect this alignment. The hook is then advanced to insert the expansible portion or leg within the central openings of the desired number of coils C to be transported at a given time. The hook may then be lifted sufficiently so that the coils are supported solely thereby whereupon this portion of the hook member is expanded and the projections, if employed, are extended to engage the outermost coil supported on the leg 28. The hook is then elevated sufliciently to clear all obstacles and preferably to its upper limit so as to be positioned substantially as shown in full lines at the left in Fig. l. The handling apparatus and hook are then moved overhead to a point above the desired piace of storage. The hook is then tilted to dispose the axes of the coils substantially vertical. The coils will not fall from the hook when thus positioned due to lthe manner in which they are held thereon. The hook is next lowered to place the coils C thereon between the desired vertically extending members 25, and, when the outermost coil on the hook is substantially in engagement with the top coil of the pile, or with the lower supporting surface for the coils if a new pile is being started, the leg 28 of the hook is contracted, thus releasing the coils so that the hook may be freely elevated, leaving the coils in place. The operation is then repeated, coils of different characteristics being placed in separate piles. By reversing these operations the coils may be removed from storage and transported to a desired location where the coils may be deposited with their axes extending either horizontally or vertically as .may be needed or desired. The coils may be transported from one pile to another within the warehouse or storage space W, if desired, by suitable raising, lowering and/or tilting of the hook, the expansible leg of the hook being selectively expanded and contracted to retain As previously ment'ififizdv mg annular Dodies, such as @Qilet meer@ I r j full selectivity, since bodies o f l` e c aracteristlcs are ilyaccessible without the.n `ec` ess 'ity: other characteristics.` This vf ull select y not ob tai ned as a result of an s but, 0n the contrari/is ach. lization of the areaand with gr which is the usual measure of ee Furthermore, whe n coils of w1 r e `df in this manner, the hei'ght"ofv t hef in d dual/ rif est islirnited substantially only,bytlfehegltofllle storage area, since, rthe weight of 'th`e ,m` fa "in 1l notdeform th` low-er Cls; als thtces er1/C, ,l stored with their axes disposedV hriz'n'tllyl I a' d' 1ori;." the storage area:may beutilizedtojtsmanimurn ferr" nt: since no aisles orpassa ays'nef left th" 4f use of handling apparatus', as rial is stored with theiraXes sbsti Finally,rless supporting frame'wfor disp lacernent v o f the pilesJ tha material is stored` with the a'X The Supporting means. also re does not utilize valuablefst'or pa intheinterstiees betweenada'c n t'pY One type of supportingfrar'newo'k"w iclfria'y b li z ed in a storage ar ea foe'iTecti storagedf annular bodies as just mentioned, is illustrate theQ 30l` details being shown partie`1'1l:1` 'rl}`f in' Ei shown therein, the framework compris fl rigid, elongated members 25 which 1` ayi e` the like provided withcfonicall Ca s.`..T

are arranged in verticallyfextlrid'fng; d impac s due to drop'nlngofth bodie's'fror'n the h'o anch bolts S byw'eldi'ng or any the l 1 ke diagonal remforcmgbraces Sllfbeingpreferably r url` a ce sj of t h e provlded between the base plates 3 2 the adiacentsides bstannaljlyjhori# of the membersZS as will lb "e apparentiii :FiglV 6. Thei ly are thqsole method zor handling:andstoringannlar vboi-.lies is'the 'sa e:

whethe'rethe bodies'be's'upport'ed'by a frameworkjsch' as;

beneath the sald lowermost co 1l t hn`s' facilitating'withd t`1 "1`1ss-Supports;` not sho'w'n; ofE the' warehouse or storagey ing the coils from storageandenablingth pla'eiA o f such a'r`e`a W. The rails 35 are -of conventional construction coils by lowering the latter directly upo 3a-supporting' and hvepr'allcl track` Surfaces on `eithe'r`side`s ofceiitra'l'. surface without the 'necessity of dropp'ing'the c'oils'. vertical websfwliichltrack sur'facess'upprtanged wheels; A segment of a st ora'g' area provided 'with Aa'framewo'rlc' 37 and 38. The v/heels', 37 and 38; a'ref rotatably mounted o f thetype just described withjcoils C positioned therin,' o'r 'suitable'bracket'membersnd41)"whichfinturn'sup I -bean shaped member 41', whichv is formed substantially like the'rails 35, and has'uppertrack" surfaces'on either side ofay vertically extendingA central web on which sur-- facesroll or travel flanged wheelssi1ch.'as '42 an'd 43 con-*- ne'cted to carrier rembers`44` and 44'-. It will be observed that-the rai1s35 extend at 'right angleswithrespect' to 'the r'all 41'l and; since the latt'erjsjrnovble alongthe former rea may be provided'withja plurality ,o f tseparate yf works comprising polygo'nsof ydiifer'er'ts'iz s dimensions of the'coilsfto befstored vafry`` eo"l size beingstored in one framework v vhfile t h`ose rially different size"` are stored Instead of cmployin'g'sep at of,l the `same or dire'rentsifzes may lall'bfe one framework dependent uponthechara' storage area' andthe type of bodi es' usually pla" d; It willl be vapparent that'w'ith f thetypef 'fram Ik th e piles of coils C arefretained frorrfl s without obstruction'of the ir central material handling lmeans suchas the Y reely;

uritizedtherervithby insertion-0.. meenten b1 8f or the h' therteed' by suitable means, such as motor driven mechanism associated with one or more of the wheels 37, 38 while the carrier proper is driven by independent motors 45 carried by the carrier members 44, 44 and connected to the wheels 42, 43` through suitable gear trains within the housings 46. yPower for operating the motors 45 and other partsy of the apparatus hereinafter described is obtained from two overhead conductors 47, one on either side of tlte rail 41, by a suitable trolley member in the form of a small carrier 48 running upon the rail 41. The trolley member 48 includes current collector wheels in engagement with the conductors 47 and is connected with the carrier members, such as 44, by a flexible connection 49 so that any vibration, swaying movement or the like, of the carrier proper is not transmitted to the trolley member 43 thereby insuring satisfactory electrical contact with the conductor members 47 at all times.

The members 44 and 44' of the carrier are interconnected by a suitable supporting frame Sil from one end of which is suspended an operators cab 51. The material handling hook 27 is supported from the member 50 forwardly of the cab 51, that is to the right as shown in Figs. l and 7 by cables 52 and 53. This is effected by a pair of spaced cable drums or reels 54 and 55 which are rotatably supported upon the member 50 and driven by separate drive motors 56 and 57, respectively, through suitable gearing. The cables 52, 53 are connected with the drums and reeved about pulleys upon the hook 27, as hereinafter described.

The material handling member or hook 27 is, as previously mentioned, substantially U-shaped and therefore comprises7 in addition to the expanding leg 2S, a nonexpanding leg 58, the two legs being connected together by a normally vertically extending portion 59. The upper leg 58 is constructed of suitable structural members, such as channel members or the like 60, 61, see Fig. 10, connected together in spaced relationship to provide a longitudinally extending opening therebetween. A pulley or sheave 62 is rotatably supported by the members 60. 61 adjacent the forward end of the space therebetween, which sheave receives the previously-mentioned cable 53. The members 6i) and 61 are connected at the rear ends to the normally vertical portion 59 of the hook which is fabricated from suitable structural members and is preferably wider than the legs 28 and 58 as will be apparent from Fig. l0. Preferably a diagonal reinforcing or bracing member 63 is provided between the members 60 and 6l and the adjacent face of the portion 59.

The portion 59 of the hook is provided with a rear- `wardly extending portion, generally designated 64, on the opposite side of the vertical portion 59 from that proided by the legs 23 and 5S. This rearwardly directed portion 64 provides a support for the operating mechanisrn which effects expansion of the leg 28, as hereinafter described, and, in addition, the portion 64 is provided with spaced vertical supporting plates or brackets 65, 66, 67 and 63 adjacent either longitudinal side thereof. Between the plates or brackets 65, 66 is rotatably journalled a pulley or sheave 69 and a similar pulley or sheave 70 is journalled between the plates 67, 68. The several plates 65, 66, 67 and 68 are provided with guide members such as 71 adjacent the peripheries of the sheaves, which guide members are substantially triangular in cross section and serve to guide the supporting cables into the sheaves and prevent their entrance between the latter and the supporting plates. Similar guide members or plates are provided for the sheave 62. An arcuate member '72 is connected to the outer end of portion 64 and to the portion S9 adjacent the upper end of the latter to ensure proper operation of limit switches controlling the hoisting of the hook when the latter is tilted, as hereinafter described. The member 72 also serves as a guard or bumper to protect the operating mechanism upon the portion 64 of the hook.

The reeving of the supporting cables for the hook about the various sheaves and drums will be apparent from the diagrammatic representation in Fig. 17. As shown therein, the drum 54 is provided with three separate scored or grooved portions 73, 74, 75, while the drum 55 is provided with a single centrally located scored or grooved portion 76. The cable S2 has one end thereof connected to the drum 54 and the adjacent portion of the cable then is wrapped a plurality of times around the scored portion 73 of the drum 54. This cable then passes downwardly and around the sheave 70 of the hook, thence upwardly and about a direction changing pulley or sheave 77 rotatably mounted upon the support 50 with its axis substantially at right angles to that of the pulley or sheave 70. Cable 52 then passes over a second direction changing pulley or sheave 78, whose axis is substantially parallel with that of the pulley or sheave 77, and thereafter passes downwardly and about the sheave 69 after which cable 52 passes upwardly and over the scored portion 75 of drum 54 a plurality of times, the end of the cable being secured to the drum. One end of the cable 53 is also secured to the drum 54 and this cable, after passing a plurality of times around the drum S4, is then directed over a direction changing pulley or sheave 79, whose axis is substantially parallel with that of drum 54. after which the cable extends downwardly and about the sheave 62, thence upwardly and about the scored portion 76 of the drum 55, the end of the cable being secured thereto.

The construction just described is such that when the main hoist motor 56 is energized to rotate the drum 54 in a clockwise direction, the motor 57 not then being energized, the cables 52 and 53 are payed off the drum 54 at the same rate so that the hook 27 is lowered while maintained substantially horizontal. Conversely, energization of the motor 56 in the reverse direction elevates the hook 2'7 while the latter is maintained substantially horizontally. Tilting of the hook 27 may be effected by energization of the motor S7. Thus, energization of the motor 57 in a direction producing clockwise rotation of the drum 55 pays out the cable 53, thereby allowing the forward end of the hook to tilt downwardly. Conversely, energization of the motor 57 in the opposite direction raises the forward end of the hook. When the hook has been tilted to any desired position, it may be raised or lowered, while retained in this tilted position, by simply rotating the motor 56 while maintaining the motor 57 stationary. lf desired, tilting, combined with a raising or lowering operation, may be effected by simultaneous energization of the motors 56 and 57. 1t will be apparent, therefore, that the hook 27 may be raised or lowered and tilted to any desired position, including the vertical, which is indicated in broken lines in Figs. l and 7. Operation of the motor 57 to lower the forward end thereof` is preferably combined with rotation of the motor 56 to raise the rear end of the hook when it is desired to move the hook from a horizontal to a vertical position in a minimum of space, as, for example, in a warehouse where the headroom over the piles and/or the vertical members 25 is only slightly greater than the distance from the bottom of the cab to the top of the pile or piles.

In order to limit the upward distance of movement of the hook with respect to the support 50, limit switches are provided in the circuits for the motors 56 and 57. These switches 80 and S1 are provided upon the support member 50 intermediate the sides of the latter (see Fig. 7) and the operating arms of the switches are connected by ilexible members such as chains 82, 83, with a substantially horizontally extending member. This member comprises a longitudinally extending bar S4 adapted to freely fit between two parallel plate members 60a and 61a which extend upwardly from the members 6'@ and 61, respectively, the plate members 6fm and 61a being substantially aligned with outwardly extending plates or flanges 72a and 72b on the arcuate member 72 (see Fig. l2). The bar 84 is provided with a plurality of transverse bars 84a which are adapted to rest upon the upper edges of the plates 60a, 61a or 72a, 72b when the hook is in its uppermost position as indicated in Fig. 7, the chains 82 and S3 being preferably connected to the bars 84a and 84b. The switches 80, 8l are of the type having contacts which are normally urged to open position but which are retained in closed position by a force applied to their actuating arms. Consequently, when the highest point of the material handling hook 27, which may either be the leg 58 or the arcuate support '72, is

disposed sutfciently below the bars 84 and 84a so that the weight thereof is supported by the chains 32, 83, the switches 80, 81 have their contacts in closed position permitting energization of the motors 56 and 57. If, however, the hook 27 should be raised to a point such that it engages and lifts the bars 84 and 84a, the removal of the weight thereof from the switch actuating arms causes either or both the said switches 80, 81 to open the contacts thereof, thus automatically terminating further upward movement of the hook until the latter has ...strengthening ribs-'9.0.

-Fby providing@ l .llOllow .Portion ..85 of i the .leg ,28, the rear Aend of this cyh-n-derlbeug :Pivotal-1y .supported upon suitable brackets formed as .two vSeparate :interconnected parts, the line :of division extending substantially longitudinally of the il'eg.y rIn the fornrofthe deviceshowl'in the '.drawings, this lower leg informed by .a substantially. rectangular hollowportioniSS rigidly connected withthe verticalportion 59. of the,.hook,. th ishollow portion 85 being formed ,by .suitable longitudinally extending plates .strengthened by transversely extending plates such as 86-and"8' 7, `the forward. end taperingto .a somewhat blunt point. ,lowenportion 'of-this legof the hook member is formed The by a substantially platelikemember .8 8whichismo1111tcd .ffor .movementla'terally with respect to fthe portion'l85 as indicated by the brokenlineffpositions thereof shown I1.F g-. 9. This ortion fgthe hookis. preferably strength, ened by longitudinally extending members 89 which termi- .tnate short of the tapering` forward en d ,corresponding ,withthe point of the portion-85. The-portion of taperingwidth ofy theplate 88, s preferablyprovided with Movement of the plate 88 r elative-to;the .portion ,.85

- is effected.:inthcrerm.onthedevie shown merger- 19,

by fluid I pressure operated .means 'This kvis accomplished uid pressure cylinder,.9 1 Within the 92 Aconnectedwith vthe top of the portion 85. vSlidjably disposed .within the cylinderf91. is a .piston 93, see Fig.

1,8, to :whichis ,connecteda piston rod 9.4. The piston -.rod extends exteriorly of theforward end ofthe cylinder andthe outer end thereof is pivoted to a,rod '95. The

4 ends of v"therod .95.are freceivedjn ysuitableapertures in the ,outer ends of longitudinally extending bars" 96 and 97 and varefpinned thereto. .areconnected to a transverse plate 98 which is in turn= connectedto the forward .endsof longtudinallyextend- The rearends ofvthese bars inn .bars 9.9 and-100. The rear ends of the bars 99 and e100 are eachpivotally vsupported at 101 uponsuitable bracketsm the portion 16,4,which is carried bythe rvertical portion 59 ofthe hook. Intermediate theouter endsofstl5 bars 9 6, 9.7 and `of thepiston rod 94, the rod" 95 yhas the outer ends of links 102 and .103 pivoted thereon. vThe other ends of these links are pivoted on a rod v,104

supported jin lbrackets 105 and 106 mounted upon the plate'88. yAdjacentithe pivot rod -104,the brackets 105 and .1 06 have elongated vertically .extending slots, such 1as10-7, in which is disposed a transversely extendintzpin 108 carried by the links 1 02 and';103. 'The cylinder .91 is provided with iinidinletand outlet conduits .109 .and 110. on either vside of the piston and vadjacent either end oflthecylinder. which are connected, ashereinafter described, to a source offluid under pressure.

In ordenthatthe plate '8 8 will be maintained substantially parallel wit-h -the portion' '85 during the'relative movementgtherebetween. the forward =part of the, pla-te '5,88 -is pivotally connected with the portion 851 in 4substanjtially the same manner as that `j ust described 'forthe rear part of this plate. "That'jis to sav, a -pair of lonci- -tudiually extending bars 1 1 '1and 112y are respectively A pivoted to brackets' 113 and "114' which aregsecured :to

the side walls ofthe portion-85 adiacent' the lower'edce of the .latterandsoaced ,sl'chtlv forwardlvof thetrans- .yerse plate' 98. The Iforward ends Vof the bars 1151 and v"112 areioined together by a. transversely extendingplate or member e115 to rwhich are .connected spaced lonnitudinallyextending b arsl116 and .117, the forwardends of which k are connected to a pivot rod or'shaft 118. Pivoted to substantially t h e middle portion Vof ,the grod or 'shaft `1'18 :isa lower 4enlfof apistonro'd`v y119.the1inner end of which extends into a iluijd pressure 'cylinder' 120. The rear end lofI this cylinder ispivotally supported'at '1 2'1 to brackets Ilocated"substantially 'centrally -of `the upper -portionff85 of the Ileg "28 t and *forw-ardlv'vof the transverse rib v86 .'thereof. The'fpiston--rod '-1I19 tis, pro- ;vided iinteriorly of-fthez-cylindcr 120=withz-a fpistorl' 122 t. --.-andzthe. cylinder fis; providedtwith uidypressurelrinlet- :and

haust .connections 123 4fand 1-2 4 disposed onvopposite zus WF.

expanded position corresponding with vthe internal didie positioned,on ,the .shaft 118 intermediate the. ends of tlebarjsll, 117and theend `ofthe piston rod 119. Therearends ofthe links 25and 126 are pivoted by -a'p`irl 127 Supportedin plates or bracket members 128 carried by and upstanding .from platejSS. -seen therefor1e,.that this construction is substantially similar to thatjustdescrxbed as interconnecting piston rod It will be Mwah aereas portion of the plate ss. The brackets 1218 areflikewise provided withelongated` slots, such as '1 2 9,. adjacent the pivot pin 127and extending through these s lots and carriedby the ,1inks'125, 126 is a pin .'130, this pin and cooperating slots.op erating, as hereinafterdescribed, to perni-ita vSlight longitudinalmovernent ofplate 88 rearwardly ofthe hook properas viewed in Fig. 19, after the plate 8 8 has been moved to its fully arneter of a bpdy inWhiQh theleg 28 of thehook member is pcsiticncd- The, ,construction just ,described is Isuch that, `with the' partsin thepositionsshown'in solidlines in Fig. 9, the

application offiluid `pressure lto the conduits ,109 and -1.23 and exhaust;of the cylinders through the conduits `110 and 124,-moves the'pist`ons93` and 122 forwardly, ,therebyrnoving the/plate 88 relative to theportionSS, `-the motion 7continuing'until the portions 8 5, 88 areiirmly .engaged with the interior of zan annular vbody in which -th'eleg'ofthememberispositioned. During this movement, vthe plate 8 8 is maintained substantially lparallel with the-portionf85-and 'the pins`t108 and 130 will Vnormally occupy'theuppermost ends of the slots, 107 and 129, in the brackets to which `the links '102,103 and 125,126 are-pivoted. When the -plate 88 initially engagesthe'jnnerperiphery of the annular body or bodies `I9, so that vthe pinsj108 and 130 then occupy ythe lower `portions of thejslots 107 and 129, .the positions of `the cylinders and connected linkszbeing as indicated by the "lowermost `broken line positions *of leither ofthe `said broken line positions vin lFiel-9 from which it will be `seen thatthe links"1.02,'103 and 125, v126 are at that time substantially horizontal. This additional rearward sameregardless of rthe zinner diameter of thev bodies.

movement, as provided-.by the pins y108 and130 and the cooperatingfslots in the 'brackets 105, 106, 128 enables lout-ward extensionof finger-like projections-at the. end of the leg28, as :hereinafter described.

'The two sets of broken'line--positions of parts shown in Fig.: :9 :represent-two'diere'nt-'positions of the plate '.88 corresponding with.` two different internal diameters of annular bodiesto behandled thereby. ;Itf will be un- '.derstood, .however, that these positions shown are not critical and that -the :hook may lbe -employed with an- .nulartbodies -ofganyA fsize intermediate ,-the yextreme Vsize represented-'by therlowermost dottedy position'ofthe plate TSS-and the fminirnumssize whichvis represented .by` sub- :fstantially the Afull line position-lof theqlplate i 88.

Moreover, -as =:-will hereinafter :appear, the-;pressure exerted upon the annular bodiesQbylthehookisvsubstantially the The rrneengagement of :the .portion-'-85 and the plate 8 8 with spaced-portions of .the-ainteriorzof the coils or .'otherannularbodieshandled, as a^resultof the abovementioned-.expansion vor movement/.oftheplate .88 vrelative 'to' the ymembers, lserves to .very firmly ihold the coils or other rannularbodies'upon this yleg of the hook.

However," wherethe hook Aiswto-be tilted to asubstan- Itially .yerticalt-fposition, =it 'is desirablev Vtoxprovide a -still -more positivekmeans'tforapreventing displacementof the coils -orrother...annular-bodiesrover:the end of the hook and for rthis purpose the-expanding .leg -of-the hookis preferably provided :with inger-like f projections :which are adapted to b e movedtransversely .outwardly-.with

aspect tortheflegJgin tinredgretationsnip.with.the,expanding t0n :ff-hereof.

leg 28, are normally disposed completely therein, these linger-like projections likewise remaining inwardly of the plate 88 when the latter is being moved or expanded into engagement with annular bodies in which the leg 28 has been inserted until after the plate 83 has engaged the side walls of the openings in such bodies. After such engagement, however, the continued application of fluid pressure to the cylinders 91 and 120 results in a slight longitudinal movement of the plate 88 rearwardly as viewed in Fig. 9 which, as previously mentioned, is permitted by the elongated slots 107, 129 and the cooperating pins 108 and 130. This movement of the plate 88 disposes the links 125, 126 in substantial parallel relationship with the plate 88 so that the finger-like portions 131 then project outwardly or transversely with respect to the plate 88 through suitable openings such as 132 provided therein. Since the plate 88 is in engagement with the side walls of the openings in the annular bodies positioned thereon, this projection of the linger-like portions 131 beyond the plate 88 disposes the latter in overlying relationship with respect to the inner corner or edge of the outermost body on the leg 28 or, if the bodies supported thereon are coiled wire or rod and the outermost body overlies the openings 132, the projections 131 will be forced between strands of the coiled material. In either event the finger-like projections provide a positive means for preventing the annular bodies from sliding over the end of the hook when the latter is tilted, even though it may be moved to a vertical position as shown in the broken lines in Figs. l and 7.

To further prevent displacement of coils or other annular bodies over the end of the leg 28 when the latter is tilted, the upper portion 85 of this leg is likewise provided adjacent its end with linger-like members or projections which are adapted to be extended transversely outwardly therefrom when this leg has been fully expanded into engagement with the central openings in the annular bodies supported thereon. Thus, elongated members 133 and 134, having laterally extending fingerlike projections such as 135 adjacent one end, are pivoted adjacent to the opposite ends to the portion 85 of the expanding leg at either side of the top interior of the latter, this pivoting being effected by means of suitable pins and brackets, such as 136. Operation of these members 133, 134 is effected by individual uid pressure actuators comprising cylinders 137 and 138, each provided with a piston 139 and 140, respectively, and having uid pressure connections 141, 142 and 143, 144 on either side of the said pistons. see Fig. 18.

piston rods 145 and 146 which extend outwardly from the cylinders. The outer ends of the pisotn rods are provided with eye portions such as 147, see Fig. 15, and each eye portion is provided with a pivot pin, such as 148, the ends of the latter being received in the spaced arms of a yoke portion 149a provided on one end of a link 149. The other end of each link 149 is pivotally supported upon the adjacent side wall of the portion 85 of leg 28 by a bracket 150. Pivotally supported upon each pin 148, intermediate the eye portion 147 and the arms of the yoke 149a, are pairs of links 151, 152, the other ends of which are pivoted to the corresponding member 133, 134, respectively, by means of pivot pins such as 153.

The construction is such that the links 149, 151 and 152 constitute toggle linkages for operating the elongated members 133 and 134. Hence, when uid pressure is supplid to the cylinders 137, 138 through the conduits 141, 143 the pistons 139 and 140 are moved outwardly, that is to the right as viewed in Fig. 18. thus causing the links 151, 152, to move the members 133, 134 from their full line positions as shown in Fig. 9 to their broken line positions as shown therein and, in the latter positions the linger-like projections 135 of the members 133, 134 extend outwardly from the portion 85 through suitable openings therein. Consequently, the projections 135 will act to retain coiled material and other annular bodies on the leg 28 of the hook in the same manner as described with respect to the finger-like projections 131, it being observed that the projections 131, 135 are so arranged that they engage the outermost body on the hook at substantially diametrically disposed points.

To further assist in preserving the proper positions of Con- V nected with the pistons 139 and 140, respectively, are

coils or other annular bodies supported on the expanding leg 28 of the hook, the lower surface of the plate 88 may be provided with spaced fixed projections 154 which, in the form shown, comprise transversely extending rods or bars welded to the lower surface of the plate at spaced points therealong, the spacing between the bars preferably corresponding to, or being greater than, the greatest axial length of annular bodies handled by the hook.

The mechanism for providing uid pressure and controling its application to the cylinders 91, 120, 137 and 138 is carired by the hook 27 and is preferably located in the portion 64 of the hook provided at the rear of the vertical portion 59, see Figs. 9, 12 and 16. The construction and operation of this iiuid pressure system can best be understood with reference to the diagrammatic representation thereof shown in Fig. 18 in which the parts bear the same reference numerals as the corresponding elements shown in Figs. 9, 12 and 16, illustrating an embodiment of the mechanism in a commercial form of apparatus. The uid pressure system is preferably of the hydraulic type employing oil or other suitable fiuid therein. Therefore, the system comprises a tank or reservoir 155 for the uid which is withdrawn therefrom by action of a pump 156 connected with the tank 155 by a conduit 157, the end of the conduit 157 within the tank being provided with a strainer 158. The pump 156 is preferably operated by an electric motor 159 controlled as hereinafter described.

The output of the pump 156 is connected by a pipe or conduit 160 to a pressure relief valve 161 of conventional construction to which is connected a conduit 162 providing a return for the liuid to the reservoir 155 when the pressure of the fluid exceeds the predetermined value for which the valve 161 is set. Normally, however, the fluid is forced from the valve 161 through a conduit 163 to a double solenoid operated, spring return, valve, generally designated 164. This valve is of conventional construction and may be such as is manufactured by Vickers, Inc., of Detroit, Michigan, and known as DG-SSl-Ol-C and which is shown in drawing No. R-106911 published by that company for use in connection with sales and service of the valve, see also Bulletin 48-27 copyrighted in 1948 by Vickers, Inc. Such a valve is operated by two separate solenoids and 166 which act alternately to direct the fluid under pressure from the conduit 163 to either the conduit 167 or conduit 168, the other of these conduits being then connected through the valve 164 to an exhaust conduit 169 providing a return to the tank or reservoir 155.

The conduit 167 is connected with a sequence and check Valve 170 of common commercial form likewise manufactured by Vickers, lnc., the valve being of the type identified by their number RC-104-D2 and illustrated. in their drawing No. Irl-38713, see also Bulletin 45-34 copyrighted in 1946 by Vickers, Inc. The valve 170 is provided with two outlet conduits 171 and 172, the conduit 171 being connected with the conduits 109 and 123 for the cylinders 91 and 120, while the conduit 172 is connected with the conduits 141 and 143 for the cylinders 137 and 138. This sequence valve is of the spring loaded type such that, when tiuid pressure is supplied thereto, through conduit 167, the uid under pressure is transmitted therethrough to the conduit 171 until the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined value whereupon pressure is also supplied to the conduit 172. The valve 170 includes a one-way check valve permitting free fluid ow in the opposite direction from both the conduits 171 and 172 to the conduit 167.

In addition to the previously mentioned conduits connected to the valve 164, the latter is also provided with a drain conduit 169a which permits draining of that portion of the fluid used to assist the solenoids in effecting valve movement. The valve 170 is also provided with a drain pipe 17011 which is never in direct communication with the conduits 167, 171 or 172 but which is necessary to carry off any leakage about the movable portion of the valve. These drains, while necessary to proper operation of the valves, are conventional and their nature and purpose will be readily apparent from an inspection of the above mentioned bulletins of Vickers, Inc.

The 'conduit 168 is connected with a counterbalance valve of conventional construction, such as that sold by Vickers, Inc., and illustrated in Bulletin 45-34 copyrighted 1946 by Vickers, Inc., and identified by their number RC-l04-D-l. Theoutput of this valve 173 is connected to a conduit 174 which, in turn, is connected 15 openings in the coils. When this alignment has been secured the hook 27 is moved forwardly, by energization of the travel motors 45, thus inserting the expansible leg 28 of the hook into the central openings of one o1 more of the coils.

After the leg 28 of the hook has been inserted within the coils, the hook is preferably raised slightly so as to cause the coils to be supported thereby and the handle 206 of the controller 187 is then actuated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 19. This brings the movable conductive segments or strips 207, 208 and 209 into engagement with the stationary contacts 195, 196 and 193, 202 and 186, 192, respectively. Electrical energy is consequently supplied from L1 through the wire 194, contact 195, and conductive segment 207 to contact 196. Since the contact 196 is connected with the contact 197 and the latter is connected with the wire 198, current ows through this wire to one terminal of the solenoid 166 for the valve 164. The circuit is completed from the other terminal of the solenoid 166 through the wire 201, contact 202, and conductive portion 208 to the contact 193, which is connected with the power line L2. Since the contact 193 is also connected to the contact 192, engagement of the latter and the contact 186 by the conductive segment 209 establishes a circuit from L2 to the wire 185 and hence to one terminal of the circuit breaker 184. This latter circuit continues from the other side of the circuit breaker through the wire 183 to the series eld coil 181 of the motor 159, and thence through the armature 177 of the motor and wires 178, 179 and 175 to the other power supply line L1. The shunt eld winding 189 of the motor 159 is continuously energized, since it is directly connected across the lines L1 and L2, in parallel with the armature and series tield winding of the motor, by wires 175, 178, 188, 190 and 191.

The operation of the controller 187 has therefore energized the motor 159 so that the pump 156 effects withdrawal of liquid from the tank or reservoir 155 and forces the liquid under pressure to the pressure relief valve 161 and from the latter to the valve 164. Since the solenoid 166 has been energized, the liquid under pressure is supplied through the valve 164 to the conduit 167 and thence to the valve 170 from which the liquid liows through the conduit 171 and conduits 109, 123 to the cylinders 91 and 120. These cylinders are drained, in advance of their pistons, through the conduits 110 and 124, which are connected to the conduit 174 and thence to the counterbalance valve 173, the valve 164 providing a drain or exhaust passage therethrough which provides intercommunication of the conduits 168 and 169.

The liquid under pressure thus supplied to the cylinders 91 and 120 moves the piston rods 94 and 119 outwardly, the rate of this movement being controlled by the adjustment of the counterbalance valve 173 which regulates the rate of drainage or exhaust of tiuid pressure from in advance of the pistons in the cylinders. As the piston rods thus move outwardly, they operate through the linkages connected therewith to move the plate 88 of leg 28 laterally with respect to the portion 85 until these parts are in firm engagement with opposite portions of the central openings in the coils or other annular bodies supported on the expanding leg 28. At this time the pistons and the links such as 102, 103 and 125, 126 occupy positions corresponding with one set of broken line representations thereof in Fig. 9, the particular position of the plate 88 depending upon the internlal diameter of the coils or annular bodies on the hoo When the two parts of the leg 28 are thus positioned, the resistance to further lateral movement of plate 88 tends to cause the pressure of the liquid in the system to increase, thereby causing the sequence valve 170 to direct liquid under pressure to the conduit 172 and hence to the finger operating cylinders 137, 138. This increased pressure also produces a somewhat further movement of the piston rods 94, 119 of the actuators 91, 120. The application of uid pressure to the cylinders 137, 138 through the conduits 141, 143 connected with the conduit 172, moves the finger members 133, 134 to cause the projections 135 thereon to extend outwardly relative to the upper surface of the portion 85 of the leg 28, it being noted that the cylinders 137, 138, in advance of their pistons 139, 140, are also connected to exhaust at this time through the counterbalance valve 173. The additional movement of the piston rods 94 and 119 does not produce any further lateral movement of the plate 88, but instead imparts a slight longitudinal movement thereto. This disposes the links 102, 103, and 126 in the substantially horizontal positions indicated in the lower of either of the two broken line positions represented in Fig. 9, thereby causing the fingerlike projections 131 on the levers 125, 126 to extend outwardly and transverse with respect to the plate 88. Therefore, the coils in which the leg 28 of the hook is engaged are not only held by the force exerted at diametrically opposed points on the side walls of the central openings of the latter, but are also prevented from slipping over the free end of the hook in any tilted position of the latter by the tingers 131, 135, the extent of movement of these lingers being such that the distance from tip to tip when in their outer positions is considerably greater than the maximum internal diameter of the coils. It should be noted that the pressure exerted upon coils such as C, due to expansion of the hook, is substantially the same regardless of the internal diameters of the coils since the pressure applied to the cylinders 91 and 120 is substantially constant due to the operation of the pressure relief valve 161.

With the coils supported upon the expanded hook, the latter may be raised by operation of the hoist controllers, and the handling apparatus with the coils thereon transported, to a point where storage is to be etfected, by operation of the controllers regulating energization of the motors for moving the carrier along the rail or bridge 41 and for movement of the latter along the runway or rails 35. During this movement the hook is preferably positioned in its uppermost location and the coils are held thereon substantially as shown at the left of Fig. l. When the hook 27 is thus moved to a position above the space between sets of vertically extending members 25 dening one of the storage piles it is tilted to bring the leg 28 thereof substantially vertical by operation of the controller regulating energization of the auxiliary hoist motor 57, thereby lowering the forward end of the hook, and/or by energization of the controller 212 regulating the hoist motor 56, thereby raising the rear end of the hook. When the hook 27 has been moved so as to bring the axis of the coils and the leg 28 substantially vertical, the main hoist motor 56 is alone energized in the direction which effects paying otf of the cables 52 and 53, thereby lowering the hook and coils to the position substantially as shown in broken lines in Fig. l from which it will be seen that the upper leg of the hook moves into the interstices between the piles while the lower leg of the hook enters the space between the vertical supports 25 delining one of the vertical piles.

With the hook and coils in the positions just mentioned, the controller 187 is operated in a counterclockwise direction to move the conductive segments 203, 204 and 205 into engagement with the corresponding stationary contacts. The conductive segments 207, 208 and 209 are then disposed out of engagement with the stationary contacts. This operation of the circuit controller completes a circuit from power line L1 through the wire 194 to contact 195, thence through conductive portion 203 to Contact 197, the circuit continuing through the wire 198 to one terminal of the solenoid 165 of valve 164. The circuit is completed from the other terminal of the solenoid through the wire 199, contact 200 and conductive segment 205 to contact 192 and hence to the line L2 since the contact 192 is bridged with the Contact 193 and the latter is, in turn, connected with the power line L2. A circuit is also completed from the line L2 and contact 193 through the conductive segment 204 to the contact 186 and thence through the circuit breaker 186 to the series eld winding 181, the circuit continuing through the armature 177 of the motor 159 and wire to the line L1. The shunt eld winding 189 remains energized since it is continuously connected with the lines L1 and L2 as previously described. It is evident, therefore, that the rnotor is energized for rotation in the same direction regardless of the direction of movement of the controller 187 but the direction of movement of the said controller determines which of the solenoids 165, 166 is energized.

The energization of the solenoid 165 now moves the valve 164 so that the liquid under pressure, supplied by the pump 156, is transmitted to the pipe or conduit 168 and thence through the counterbalance valve 173 and con- 17 duit 1974"l toLv the conduits.' 110, 124, 142 and 144 connestedV with the several. hydraulic; actuators or cylinders 91,-. 120,. 137 and 138, respectively'.` At this time the conduits 109,123,` 141` and 143 of these several actuators or cylinders arey connected to drain or exh-aust to the sump or reservoir. 155 through. the conduits 171,. 172, valve. 170,. conduit 167, and` valve 1.64, which is posid tioned to provide a passageway therethrough commnnieating with` the conduit 1.69 leading to.I the sump or reservoir 155. It will; be apparent, therefore, that the several pistons within the cylinders are. now' moved inthe reverse direction; to that previously describedl thereby withdrawing the linger-like projections: 131 and 135 inwardly of the expanding. leg 28 of the hook, and the plate 88 is returned to its initial. or unexpanded position: so that the legt may now be freely withdrawn from; the central opten'- ings of the coils C, leaving the latter inV place in a. vertical pile. The hook is manipulated to elevate it by reverse operations to those previously described and the sequence of operations may then be repeated for the storage of other coils.

ln the operation of the device as just described, the drum controller 187 need not be left in one. actuated position thereof so as to maintain the motor 159 in continuous operation for supplying liquid under pressure when the hook is in expanded position. This isl due to' the fact that the valve 164 is of the double-acting type, spring centered, and in. neutral or central positiony connects the conduit 163z to the conduit 1269 while blocking. the conduits 167 and 168i from communication with either the conduit 163 or 169. Consequently, when the coil 166 has been energized. tol effect. expansion ofl the hook. and this expandingY operation has been completed, the controller 187 may be returnedyto` neutral position, that is', to' the position asy indicated in: Fig;- l'9, at which time the motor 1:59 and the solenoid 166 will be deenergized. The valve 164 wu'll return to its neutral or central position and the fluid pressure will be maintained withinthe cylinders.

Material in storage, as represented by the verticalpile's between the upright members 25, may be readily removed therefrom by similar operations of they material handling apparatus. That is to say, the hook 27 is moved toa position over the pile of coils from whichl removal is to` be effected. The hookv is then tilted to bring its leg 28 to a substantially vertical position and the hookf is then lowered with the leg in its contracted' conditionV so that it .enters the central openings of the coils'.y When thus positioned, the controller 187 is operated' to expand the leg 28 of the hook and to force theiinge'r-like projec tions 131, 135 outwardly withy respect. thereto. The coils will thus be rmly held uponY the expanded leg of the hook and the latter may then be elevated, moved toxa place where the coils arev desired, and then lowered, the coils either being disposed in Vertical order or horizontal as desired. After the coils have come to re'st upon a supporting surface, the leg 28 of the hook may thenv be contracted and removed from the coils. in' the eventA it should be desired to dispose the coils in a liquid bath without lowering the hook therein, theV contraction of the hook may be eifectd before the coils come to rest upon a supporting surface so that' the coi-ls dr'op from the hook'. When removing the coils from storage, the engagement of the linger-like projections 1'31, 135 beyond the outer surface of the lowermost'- coil in the pile is facilitated when the piles are so supported thatl the end of the leg 2S can project therebelow. This may be effected in a number of different manners of which tw`o have been illustrated and described, namely by supporting the c'oils upon horizontally extending members, such asl 29, spaced above the oor' of the warehouse, or by providing wells, such as 31, of sufficient' depth: in the floor of the warehouse in alignment with ther central openings of the piles of coils.

The hook portion of the material handling apparatus may be 4constructed otherwise than as shown in Figs. 7-l'7. For example, Figs. 20 and 2l illustrate a modied form` of hook which may be employed in a substantially similar manner to that of the previously described form of the hook. In theinstant embodiment, the upper leg of the hook, is preferably formed' as two elongated members 215, 216 extending substantially parallel kand in spaced relation with respect to each other. These members 215 and 216- are yinterconnected adjacent corresponding ends thereof with an expanding leg, generally designated 21'7,-whicl1 extends parallel with the leg meml"18 bers 215', 216 andi spaced therefrom so as tolie in a different plane. substantially intermediate the members 2115 and 216. This hook when viewedl from the side is substantially ufshaped and will be so termed.

in this formof the hook, theV supporting cables are not reeved. about sheaves upon the hook but rather terminate in suitable pivotal fasteners carried by the hook. Thus, the forward or free end-s of the members 215, 216 have the cables 2.18, 219', respectively, connected thereto by means of suitable fasteners 220, 2.2.1I thereon, having annular end portions pivoted upon studs 222 a-nd 223. The other ends of the cables 21,8, 219 are reeved about and connected to a suitable hoist drum such as that designated. 55 in Fig. 7. The rear portion of this form of book is provided with a yoke bar 224 which is pivoted for horizontal rocking. movement upon the hook, the ends of this yoke bar being connected to. pairs of cables, the ends of which are shown asv secured to the yoke bar by fastenersA 225` and. 226,. similar to the fasteners 220, 221, and. retained upon the reduced ends of the yoke bar by means of studs 227 and 228. The cables thus connected tol the yoke bar may be reeved about and connected to a hoist drum, such as 54,. see Fig. 7.

The mechanism for moving the hookv to different points within the' storage area is constructed substantially as shown in Figs. l and 7 and comprises the supporting runway or rails' 35,. the bridge or railr 41, and the carrier including the hook member, support members 50 and cabv 51. In the instant embodiment of the hook member, however, raising and lowering of the hook requires simultaneous operation of the hoist motors 56 and 57, since the cables are not reeved about sheaves on the hook. Tilting of the hook is effected by independent operationof either of. the hoist motors 56, 57 or by simultaneous operation thereof in reverse directions.

In the form of thehook shown in Figs. 20 and 2.1, the expanding leg 217 is formed as two interconnected parts, they upper part or portion of which, 229, is hollow and contains: the operating mechanism for moving the lower member or plate 230 relative to the portion 229. As before the member or plate 230 moves laterally relative to the portion 229.and these two parts are maintained substantially parallel throughout the movement by interconnected linkages. Movement of the plate 23h inthe present embodiment is, however, effected by means of an electric motor 231 carried by that portion of the hook `which unites the upper and lower legs. Thisk motor 231` has its armature shaft provided with a pinion 232 which meshes with an idler gear 233 rotatably mounted upon the hook, the idler gear, in turn, meshing with a gear nut 234; The gear nut 234' is formed with an elongated hub having gear teeth on a portion thereof meshing with the gear 233, the central opening through the hub being threaded and cooperating, as a nut, with an elongated' screw 235. The hub of the gear nut 234 has reduced diameterportions thereof journalled in suitable anti-friction bearings 236 and 237 supported between plates 238 and 239 so that the gear nut is rotatable but is held from` axial displacementwith the result that rotation of the nut causes the screw 235 to be moved longitudinally in a direction depending upon the direction of rotation of the motor 231.

The forward end of the screw 235 is connected to crosshead 240 and the latter is slid'ably supported upon spaced parallel bars or rods 241 and 242 which are mounted upon suitable brackets adjacent the' rear portion o f the part y229 of the lower leg 217. Connected with theV forward portion of the crosshead 240 and is an actuatingrod 243 extending forwardly within the portion 229 of the leg- 217 andconnected with' the rear portion of a crosshead 244, which is likewise slidably supported upon parallel extend-ing rods' or bars 245 and 246 supported. ,by suitable brackets in the forward portion' of thc part 229 of legv 217". It willbe apparent, therefore, that rotation of the motor 231 and consequent longitudinal movement of the screw 235 effects simultaneous long-i` tudinal movement nf' the crnssheads 2494 and 244.

Elonga-ted arms 247 and` 248- eachhave one end` pivoted at opposite sides of the crosshead 2.40'by pivot pins 249` and 250, respectively. The other end yof the arm 247 isprovided with a pivotal connection 251 to an elongated arm 252, the rear end of which is pivotally connected at 253L to the hook at a point adjacent the lower edge of the portionuniting the upper andL lower legs there of. The other endl of the arm 248 is likewise pivotally connected at 254 to an elongated'y arm 255 extending parallel with the arm 252 but on the opposite side of the leg 217 therefrom, the rear end of the arm 255 being similarly pivotally connected at 256 to the portion of the hook uniting the upper and lower legs thereof. The forward ends of the arms 255 and 252 extend slightly beyond the pivotal connections 251 and 254 and adjacent their forward or outer ends the arms are pivotally connected at 257 and 258 to the outer ends of links 259, 260. The inner ends of these links are pivoted at 261 and 262 to suitable supporting brackets provided upon and upstanding from the lower movable plate 230. These brackets are provided with upwardly elongated slots, such as 263, adjacent the pivots 261 and 262 through which extends a pin or shaft 264 the ends of which are carried by the links or arms 261 and 262.

The forward crosshead 244 likewise has arms 265 and 266 pivoted thereto on opposite sides thereof, these arms extending forwardly therefrom and being pivoted adjacent their forward ends to elongated arms 267 and 268, the rear ends of the latter arms being pivoted at 269 and 270 to opposite sides of the portion 229 of the leg 217 and adjacent the lower edge of the latter. The forward portions of the arms 267 and 268 extend forwardly beyond the pivotal connections thereof with the arms 265 and 266 and the former are pivoted to links or arms 271 and 272, the rear ends of which are pivoted to suitable upstanding brackets carried by the plate 230. These arms or links 271 and 272 are likewise provided with a transversely extending pin 273, similar to the pin 264, and extending through elongated slots, such as 274, in the brackets providing the pivotal connections for the arms.

The forward ends of the arms 267 and 268 are provided with finger-like transversely extending projections such as 275 which are adapted to extend through suitable openings, such as 276, in the lower plate 230 after the leg has been fully expanded, as hereinafter described. Upper finger-like members are also provided for the expanding leg 217, these taking the form of transversely extending projections such as 277 provided on the outer ends of arms such as 278, the other ends of which arms are pivotally supported upon the interior upper surface of the portion 229 of the leg 217 in spaced relationship. The ends of the projections or fingers 277 are adapted to extend through openings 279 in the upper surface of the portion 229 of the expanding leg after the said leg has been fully expanded. Actuation of the fingers or projections 277 is effected by links such as 280 pivoted to the said finger members and to a crosshead 281 which is slidably disposed upon the parallel rods 245, 246 in advance of the cross slide 244 and connected for movement therewith by tie rods 282 and 283.

The operation of a material handling apparatus employing the modified form of hook shown in Figs. 20 and 2l is substantially the same as that previously described. That is to say, the hook is moved along the overhead supporting system, raised, lowered, and/or tilted by the operator in a cab manipulating suitable control switches for governing the operation of the motorized carrier and hoist drums. In the present form of the device, however, expansion and contraction of the hook is effected directly by operation of the single reversible electric motor 231 and does not employ the hydraulic system previously described for the form of the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 7 through 19.

The operation of the motor 231 is preferably governed by a simple reversing type switch enabling the operator to energize the motor for rotation in either direction, the circuit including the motor and such a switch may also include suitable protective devices, such as current overload relays or the like and/or limit switches to prevent overtravel of the crossheads, such as 240, 244 and 281. Since these several instrumentalities are well known, and the circuit connecting them would be simple in nature, it is deemed unnecessary to illustrate such a circuit. Suice it to note that when the motor 231 is energized for rotation in one direction, it drives the pinion 232, idler 233 and the gear nut 234 thereby longitudinally moving the screw 235 and causing the crosshead 240 to move to the left, or outwardly, of the hook as viewed in Fig. 20. Since the crosshead 240 is connected by means of the rod or shaft 243 to the crosshead 244, the latter likewise moves at the same time. Movement of these crossheads acts through the arms or links 247, 248, 265 and 266 and the arms or links 259, 260, 271, 272 to effect lateral movement of the lower member plate 230 with respect to the upper portion 229 of the leg 217, the plate or member 23u being maintained substantially parallel with the portion 229 during this movement by means ot' the arms or links 252, 255, 267 and 268.

When the lower plate or member 230 has been expanded into engagement with the interior of a coil or other annular body supported upon the leg 217, an additional movement is imparted to the crossheads 240 vand 244 thereby causing the arms such as 259, 260, 271

and 272 to assume a position substantially parallel with the lower member or plate 230 by causing the latter to shift backwardly, or to the right, slightly, as viewed in Figs. 20 and 21, this additional movement of the arms or links being permitted by the slots 263 and 274 and the cooperating pins 264 and 273 extending therethrough. This additional movement forces the finger-like portions 275 outwardly through the openings 276. Since the cross slide 281 is connected for movement with the cross slide 244, the upper nger-like members 277 will also have been fully projected exteriorly of the portion 229 at the completion of the forward movement of the crossheads, which movement may be terminated by the operator simply manipulating the control switch for the motor 231 or, preferably, by engagement of one of the crossheads with a limit switch or switches, not shown, but connected in the circuit for the motor 231. Retraction of the finger-like members 275, 277 and contraction of the leg 217 is effected by energizing the motor 231 for rotation in the reverse direction, thereby causing the crossheads 240, 244 and 281 to return to their initial positions illustrated in full lines in Fig. 20 and consequently returning the parts to the position shown.

The modified form of hook just described is therefore capable of handling coiled material or other annular bodies by insertion of the expanding leg 217 through the central openings of such bodies, this leg then being expanded and the finger-like projections extended so as to retain the annular bodies upon the hook when the latter is moved and/or tilted. Consequently, the hook may be employed for all the functions previously described, and in substantially the same manner, so that it is deemed unnecessary to further elaborate upon the operation of this form of the mechanism.

The above-detailed descriptions of the present preferred form and one embodiment of an apparatus for handling coiled material or other annular bodies represent examples of the manner in which the invention may be practically applied. It will be understood, however, that numerous modifications may be made in such an apparatus by one skilled in the art after having had the advantages of this disclosure and hence the illustrated and described apparatuses are not to be considered as a limitation upon the invention but only as examples thereof. For example, the hook may be supported from and moved by conventional means other than a crane or transfer bridge mechanism. Furthermore, while the herein disclosed methods may be very advantageously effected by the apparatuses illustrated and described, the methods are not restricted to use with the specific apparatuses disclosed but may be effected by other devices. Moreover, the invention while especially useful in handling and storing coiled material, such as wire, rod, or strip metal, is not limited thereto but may be employed to handle and store other annular bodies, such as gear blanks, tile, or the like.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

l. In a material handling apparatus an elongated laterally expansible member, power operated means for effecting lateral expansion of said member to cause engagement thereof with spaced portions of an annular body in which the said member is inserted, movable elements supported by said member adjacent one end of the latter, means for moving said elements substantially transversely outwardly relative to said member in timed relationship with the expansion thereof, and control means remote from said laterally expansible member and operatively connected to said power operated means to govern the actuating thereof.

2. In a material handling apparatus an elongated laterally expansible member, power operated means for effecting lateral expansion of said member to cause engagement thereof with spaced portions of an annular body in which the said member is inserted, projection means adjacent one end of said member adapted to be selectively disposed within said member or to extend transversely outwardly from said member, means operatively connected to said power operated means for effecting movement of said 

